Which statement about disulfiram is true?

Which statement about disulfiram is true?

• A. It requires the patient to be alcohol-free for 12 hours and to avoid alcohol-containing substances for 2 weeks after stopping
• B. It is safe to use with alcohol consumption
• C. It is effective in treating acute withdrawal symptoms
• D. It has no interactions with alcohol

Answer: (A)

Disulfiram acts as an aversive deterrent by inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. When a person drinks alcohol while taking it, acetaldehyde accumulates, causing a rapid, uncomfortable reaction—flushing, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension. Because of this, treatment is started only after the patient has achieved abstinence and understands the reaction. Typically, there should be an alcohol-free period before the first dose (about 12 hours) to avoid triggering a reaction to the initial dose. Once on disulfiram, the patient must avoid alcohol in all forms—everyday products like mouthwash, cough syrups, and certain sauces can still contain alcohol and provoke the reaction. After stopping disulfiram, avoidance of alcohol continues for about 1–2 weeks to allow the body to clear the drug’s effects and reduce the risk of a reaction if alcohol is consumed. This is why the statement describing an alcohol-free period before starting and continued avoidance of alcohol-containing substances for a couple of weeks after stopping is true. Disulfiram does not safely permit alcohol use, it is not used to treat acute withdrawal, and it does interact with alcohol.

Disulfiram acts as an aversive deterrent by inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. When a person drinks alcohol while taking it, acetaldehyde accumulates, causing a rapid, uncomfortable reaction—flushing, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension. Because of this, treatment is started only after the patient has achieved abstinence and understands the reaction. Typically, there should be an alcohol-free period before the first dose (about 12 hours) to avoid triggering a reaction to the initial dose. Once on disulfiram, the patient must avoid alcohol in all forms—everyday products like mouthwash, cough syrups, and certain sauces can still contain alcohol and provoke the reaction. After stopping disulfiram, avoidance of alcohol continues for about 1–2 weeks to allow the body to clear the drug’s effects and reduce the risk of a reaction if alcohol is consumed. This is why the statement describing an alcohol-free period before starting and continued avoidance of alcohol-containing substances for a couple of weeks after stopping is true. Disulfiram does not safely permit alcohol use, it is not used to treat acute withdrawal, and it does interact with alcohol.